South Atlantic Fishery Bulletin

Commercial Closure for the Golden Tilefish Longline Component in South Atlantic Federal Waters on May 9, 2017

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial longline component for golden tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m. on May 9, 2017. The closure applies to longline endorsement holders for golden tilefish.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2017 commercial catch limit for the golden tilefish longline component is 405,971 pounds gutted weight. Commercial landings information indicates that the commercial catch limit for the longline component has been met and harvest therefore should be

DURING AND AFTER THE CLOSURE:

The commercial longline component closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have longline endorsement for golden

During the closure, vessels with a golden tilefish longline endorsement are not eligible to commercially harvest golden tilefish using hook-and line gear and are limited to the recreational bag and possession limits when the recreational sector is

Vessels that do not have longline endorsements, but have South Atlantic snapper-grouper unlimited permits, may harvest golden tilefish commercially until the hook-and-line quota is reached.

The prohibition on sale or purchase during the closure does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. on May 9, 2017, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or

Harvest by the commercial longline component will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1,